Getting in The Zone

In late 2014, the Sky network launched a new Entertainment channel called The Zone, which features TV shows and movies from the Science Fiction, Cult, Fantasy, Superhero and Horror genres. I squealed rather loudly in delight when I read about it, because I have long wished that NZ had its very own version of the SyFy channel available overseas. At this stage I should mention I am well well WELL behind in watching TV shows. Something had to give when I became a parent to my mini-geeks, and sadly TV was it L

So when I read the initial line up for The Zone there was even more squealing, or squee as it is fondly known as. My mysky unit then very quickly filled up with all sorts of shows, many of which got the one episode watch and then the flick. (Sorry awesome shows, I only have so much mysky hard drive space and evening viewing time). But the following oldie yet extremely goodie shows made the final cut, and I am now well addicted!

The great news for you, our lovely library customers, is that we have most of these terrific shows on DVD for you to borrow, just in case you missed them on The Zone, or don’t have Sky TV at home. Or maybe you just want to revisit the awesomeness.

First up is Eureka. Eureka is a quirky wee town like no other. Jack Carter, a U.S. marshal who stumbles across the town, is quickly drawn into mysterious events, which we soon learn are pretty par for the course in Eureka. In a town made up of America’s top geniuses and scientists, things definitely get a bit interesting! I’m so in love with Sheriff Jack and the way he meshes with the town, and can’t wait to see more. Luckily for me I have 5 more seasons to look forward to J

Next is Warehouse 13. This is a spin off show from Eureka, but stands on its own just fine.  Secret Service agents Pete and Myka are ‘seconded’ to Warehouse 13, a highly secretive storehouse of supernatural artefacts. They are sent on missions to retrieve such objects when they wreak havoc in the world. There is just such a fun dynamic between the leads. Again, I’m pretty happy to see I have another 4 seasons after this one to go, wahoo!

Third on the list is Supernatural. This is a show I have been missing out on for so many years it’s a bit embarrassing really. I have several good friends (and family members) who have been telling me how much I would love it, and yep, they were all right. Supernatural follows the adventures of brothers Sam and Dean Winchester as they battle a legion of supernatural and demonic creatures. I may have come to this show because, lets face it, that’s a whole lot of hot right there with Sam and Dean, but I’m staying because it is nail biting and terrifyingly good (although I MAY watch from under a pillow a chunk of the time). The dynamic between the brothers is just that good – it really is what makes the show what it is. Not to mention the incredible supporting cast, I am hanging out to get to Charlie episodes. And yay - now I understand so much more on Tumblr!

Lastly we have Teen Wolf , which has almost completely taken over my mysky, as since The Zone launched, they have already played the first three seasons and are just starting the fourth. I’m quite ok with that, but my other half not so much; he seems to be missing the attraction (ahem) somehow. Teen Wolf is (very) loosely based on the 1985 movie of the same name that featured Michael J Fox. I am actually old enough that I loved this movie at the time (although not so much its sequel). This modern take on Teen Wolf is a whole lot more gruesome and gritty, but is still filled with just the right amount of teen angst. Scott McCall is the said Teen Wolf after being bitten in the pilot episode, and he is not only navigating some very complicated wolfy politics and vendettas, but is dating the daughter of the family of hunters that have hunted his kind since way back when  - awkward! His best friend Stiles is just THE best, full of zingy dialogue and witty one liners. His mysterious werewolf mentor Derek Hale is full of smoulder, tension and general hotness, and I am never sad at all when he has to remove his shirt, although usually he is in pain at the time, oh dear *fans self*.

So these are just a few of my new (old) favourite things, courtesy of The Zone. If you’ll excuse me, I believe I may have some more TV to catch up on J

I can see for miles and miles and miles...

As you probably know by now I love a lot of different shows but one show really got my attention in 2013 and turned me into a obsessed fan.  And by obsessed I mean OBSESSED. And yes it warrants capital letters. Because this show is that good.  And yes I am completely and utterly in love with it.  And it's all thanks to Tosca.  She's to blame. 100%

Of course this show has to share the love... just a little.  Because as in my usual obsessive way I am also addicted to other TV shows as well.

So what did you fall in love with in 2013?

Teen Wolf

That this show doesn't screen here in New Zealand is quite frankly gob smacking.  I just count myself lucky that I have awesome, amazing friends living in the USA who send me episodes.  Bribery really does work wonders.

Suits

Another new love and one in which my partner has also now become completely hooked on.

Marathoning the same show twice in the same year?

Yeah that's me.

Obsession really should just be my middle name.

Sherlock

Benedict Cumberbatch is a God.

And if you haven't seen him before (and surely you have) then you just have to check out Sherlock.  Because this show shows how good he really is.  Then again he is amazingly and awesomely good in everything I've seen him in

Person of Interest

This show just keeps getting better and better with each season. What started out as a procedural crime show has turned everything on it's head.  It's a crime show, an action show, a drama show and even a sci-fi show - well of sorts.  It's also brilliant.

Gutsy and raw and no-holds barred with great characters and great supporting characters too. Even the dog is awesome.

Elementary

It took me a couple episodes or so before I really got into this show.  But once I did... well there was no going back really.

And yes in case you were wondering you can love both Sherlock AND Elementary.  Because both shows are wonderful and yet different to each other that making comparisons between them is just silly.

Justified

Give me a man with a gun and a bad attitude any day.  

Especially when it's a man like Raylan Givens.  US Marshall, sharp-shooter, straight talker with the worse taste in women.

That the Season 5 is about to start as got me all kinds of excited.  With shows like this and the ones above TV life has never looked so good.

This Month I'm Loving...

The cooler weather, bowls of steamy hot soup and socks.

I love socks.

Long socks, short socks, stripey socks, spotty socks.  The brighter the better, though I am also rather fond of long, black socks, the longer the better.  My current favourites are my latest purchase -  a pair of Big Bang Theory Soft Kitty socks.

Yes you heard correctly. And yes I *adore* them because Reasons.

Damn Sheldon Cooper and that Soft Kitty song.  And if ever someone makes a pair of Supernatural socks (the show, not the other...) I'll be the first in line.

As always I've been discovering a world of new things.  Many of which aren't available for purchase in New Zealand.  Yet...

Our selectors at Auckland Libraries are amazing so I know that when these do become available they will probably be purchasing them.  In the mean time here's an advance preview of things to watch out for.... and which I can't get enough off.

Teen Wolf

I totally blame Tosca for this one.  She's the one who kept taking about it.  So of course I just had to give it a try.

And of course I've become completely and utterly hooked.  And don't get me started on Sterek....

Trust me you really don't want to know.  What you do need to know is that it features werewolves, hunky guys, great music...

It was pretty much a given that I would love it and become addicted to it... all in a completely non-obsessive way...

Vikings

Blood and mayhem.

It's a thing.

And I make no apologies that I have a certain weakness for it.  Especially when it involves good storytelling and great characters.

Ignore the fact that Vikings is made by the History Channel (even though it is) or that it's creator was the man behind The Tudors (which he was).

Vikings is a rousing tale that follows the mythic adventures of Ragnor Lodbok.  There's also swords and leather and men with beards so you just knew I had to be there.

Utopia

As much as I like blood and mayhem and supernatural things I also like things that are just a little dark... okay make that a lot dark.

Utopia fits the bill perfectly.  There's brutal deaths (and that's just in the first few minutes), weird characters and a comic which may just hold the destruction of mankind in it's pages.

Mikky Ekko

I mentioned above that one reason for watching Teen Wolf is some of the great music and this artist is just one that I've fallen for.

Most people probably know him through his duet with Rihanna on the song Stay, but you really need to check out his solo stuff which is even better.    I'm hanging out for his debut album which hopefully will be coming out later
this year.  Until then Youtube will have to fill the void.  Check out this song of his which has been on constant repeat on my Spotify account Who Are You Really

Haim

Another artist that is due to release their debut album later this year, Haim are three sisters who have been slowly building up a huge following over the past year,

I fell in love with them when I heard their song Don't Save Me earlier this year.  It's bouncy and catchy, just like the rest of their music.  You just have to check them out

8th Doctor Who Big Finish Adventures

After my last post you're all probably aware how much I have fallen in love with audio dramas so it will come as no surprise that I am just loving the 8th Doctor Who adventures which I have been working my way through.

Paul McGann is just as brilliant doctor and he has the perfect voice for audio and as always Big Finish have produced a series of just wonderful audios which I know I will probably listen to again and again.